A Setback Beauty

Kabanata 40: HIS SURRENDER

HIS SURRENDER.
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*Warning: SPG

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RAKI bumped her arms into mine nang mapansin niyang halos 'di ko galawin ang pagkain ko sa plato.

"Kain na ate, kanina ka pa natutulala diyan," untag niya sa'kin.

"Kumain ka na, hija. Masama ang pinaghihintay ang grasya," segunda ni Manay na isinabay namin sa hapunan.

Nagkibit-balikat ako saka ako nagsimula sumubo.

Pagkatapos ng hapunan ay nagpaalam na akong aakyat sa kwarto ko para maligo. I feel hot because I'm still wearing corporate attire.

Naghahanda na ako ng damit na pamalit ko nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Dinampot ko iyon sa ibabaw ng kama at tiningnan kung sino ang tumatawag.

My lips pursed after seeing his number on the screen. Hindi ko muna sinagot 'yon hanggang sa pangatlong tawag niya.

"What is it again?" I asked coldly after picking up his call.

"Babe..." He started with his breathy voice. "Nandito ako sa labas ng mansyon n'yo...please...lumabas ka naman..."

Kumunot ang noo ko. He sounded like he's drunk again. Since when did he become a drunkard?

"Please, babe...let's talk."

I didn't respond. I just listened to his heavy breathing.

"Sorry na...mag-usap tayo..." he begged, still waiting for my reply.

I sighed. "Alright..." tanging nasabi ko na lang bago binaba ang tawag.

Habang naglalakad patungo sa hagdan ay napatingin ako sa pintuan ng kwarto ni Raki. It's almost 10:00 p.m. She's probably sleeping right now.

Nang makalabas na ako sa gate ay mabilis siyang bumaba sa kanyang sasakyan. He rushed towards me and hugged me tightly. Now I can smell the strong smell of the liquor in him.

"K-Kade..." I put my hands on his chest and tried to push him, but he didn't let me do it.

He pulled me more against his chest and stroked my hair. "Sorry sa mga nasabi ko kanina. Sorry kung ginalit kita...sorry. Nagselos lang ako. Hindi ko sinasadya," aniya na halos pabulong na.

"Kade... I can't breathe. You're almost choking me."

Pagkatapos kong sabihin 'yon ay unti-unting lumuwag ang pagkakayakap niya sa'kin. Sinamantala ko 'yon para makalayo sa kanya.

"When are you going to come here without being drunk?" seryosong tingin ko sa kanya.

"Until you tell me what's going on. Why do you keep avoiding me?"

Malamig ko lang siyang tiningnan. He tried to touch my face pero iniwas ko ang mukha ko.

"I know you're doing this for a reason. Sabihin mo sa'kin...susubukan kong intindihin."

"You won't be able to understand it, Kade."

"Paano ko maiintindihan kung hindi mo naman sinasabi sa'kin."

"Where are your car keys?" I straightened my face, ignoring what he said. "I'll drive you home."

He shook his head and pouted his lips. "Don't want to."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "You can't stay here."

"Bakit naman?" His lips were still in a pout.

"Basta."

"Wala naman tayong gagawin. Kahit sa sofa ng sala n'yo na lang ako matutulog."

"No, you can't. Please don't be stubborn," pinal kong sabi.